VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK

With the recent and what looks like the future wind drought, combine with early sunset I was wondering if any of you would like to try “evening Kiting/Windsurfing” tonight at IV if winds above 20kts obviously. Lets say between 20-30 that would be worth.

We all bring whatever flashlight / big lights we have, put them on the beach 5-10m apart to covert ~ 50m-60m beach length (small & big flashlights, hopefully one or two huge spotlight.)

- Headlamp on every kiter/windsurfer mandatory (make sure you wrap it so no water get in it, and fresh battery)

- minimum 3 Glow Stick, 1 on board, 1 on kite/WS and 1 or more on rider. (make sure glow stick are well tied to equipment / yourself, you don’t want a bunch of glowstick floating around, very bad for coast guard / navy when they see glow stick in the water)

- *** Everyone should stay close to shore & everyone look out for each other, if you see someone that seem in trouble, go check on him / her ***

- Until 18h30-19h00 max or if it’s really too dark we all use the common sense and come back asshore even if its only 17h30.

- A go if we are a minimum of ? 3-4 ?

- A no go if there is a general consensus from different kiters / windsurfer / wind comunity that we should not do this (to be respected) or we are not enough / do not have safety gear to make it happen.


I would really like to do this but do understand that if ever something was to happen that require coast guard or ambulance it would look extremely bad on the wind community. For this reason if ever the general vibes from everyone is not to do it, I will gladly respect / understand this reasoning.


On the other hand with everything in place to maximise safety and everyone looking out for each other, chances of something bad happening is quite slim especially if the above rules / and / or additional ones are respected.

Also important, if this is a go, everyone understand that this would be an exception due to very long wind drought that doesn’t seem to go away + early sunset + enough riders / gear / organisation for safety.


Part of me think it is a very bad idea and we shouldn’t do it, but the other part really want to do it. This is why I ask your thought on the subject. (And obviously your participation / lights if this is a go.)

Thanks for any feedback & be polite to each other if in disagrement.

Interesting idea for a forecasted "dusk patrol" afternoon.

I know they regularly night kite at Comox Goose Spit. But their setup is much different: riding within feet of shore, butter calm, very steady wind. The problem with IV is that the wind is sideshore, so you're riding out ... I suspect you'd lose your light very fast, not far from shore. And once out there, if something goes wrong, big trouble. As well, frontal winds tonight ... will that be gusty, crazy?

The one benefit is that the parking area points towards the riding area, so you could use truck and car high beams. Though I think the best bet for lighting at night is those highway construction lights ... 20 foot boom on a diesel generator, with 4 super bright lights that can be pointed in different directions. That would light up a big area.

Dunno....seems a bit iffy to me. But intrigued.

I have night kited on a few occasion and I would say it is generally not a good idea. Comox was a blast, but really sketchy and we are lucky nobody went down or had to be rescued. It was not planned, just a bunch of us waited all day for wind that showed late. A few locals suggested renting a light and we went for it. We did it in Tulum under a full moon with side on winds. Was fun for a bit, but very worried about bull sharks. Kirk and I were out at K-spot one eve on a SE and the wind kept building. Several cars pulled up and turned their headlights on so we kited until about half an hour after dark. A lot of fun, but pretty sketchy self landing a 5m in 40+kn in the dark. I had a blast each of these times, but I don't think it was ever a great idea... and not really something planned... just spur of the moment. But hey I am laying in bed here with a broken leg... so what do I know

I'd almost favour Willows due to the surrounding area already being lit by street lights / marina / cars on cattle point etc... Island View has abosoultely no ambeint light.
The worst thing that could happen there is hitting a drainage culvert but you should be much safer than IslandPOO!

I find that there is enough advice to not do it / cancel this idea. Also dont want to screw it up for everyone.

That being said, thanks for the idea abetanzo, Willows Beach ...

Willows Beach:

- Mid to Low Tide Tonight
- Lights from street lights and house
- 4,5,6 or more car head light (how long can u run headlight before battery die?)
- Same rules as above (headlamp (if needed)/ glow stick (if needed), we look out for each other / safety first, dont go too far / too close to shore)
- Very safe place to do it (if something happen you are push back asshore)


Who is in???? (if windy obviously)

If not too many objection from wind community.

Would be a great experience.

Hate to say it, but windsurfing would be a much safer night option than kiting. With all these lines, and with multiple kiters in a small area, it is easy to imagine how it could go from bad to worse quickly. All going well, do-able...but even a small problem, and it could get ugly.

A few practical thoughts:

-- car headlights: with older crappy battery, even 10 minutes can drain it to not start. You'll want to leave car idling I think. (lock it, bring 2nd set of keys)

-- headlamp would be useful to illuminate your gear, especially if a problem. But otherwise it might cause night blindness...illuminate what's right in front of you, but lose distance sight?

-- I get the sense Oak Bay folks are not exactly keen on radical hustle and bustle. That probably rules out generators and lights, and may case hassles with idling cars. This would definitely have to be an early evening thing.

Me? Probably going to try for IV "dusk patrol". But I really hope to hear about some awesome trail blazing Vic night surf tales.

Personally, if I can't see my lines I won't kite. Windsurfing with clear skies & moonlight seems o.k. to me.